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8-K - FORM 8-K - CAMBIUM LEARNING GROUP, INC.c12813e8vk.htm
EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - CAMBIUM LEARNING GROUP, INC.c12813exv99w1.htm
Exhibit 4.1
SENIOR SECURED NOTES INDENTURE
Dated as of February 17, 2011
Among
CAMBIUM LEARNING GROUP, INC.,
THE GUARANTORS NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
9.75% SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2017
Reference is made to the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2011, among Harris, N.A., as ABL Agent for the ABL Secured Parties referred to therein; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent; Cambium Learning Group, Inc.; and the other Subsidiaries of Cambium Learning Group, Inc. named therein (the “Intercreditor Agreement”). Each holder of the Notes, by its acceptance of the Notes, (a) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (b) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) authorizes and instructs the Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of each holder of Notes to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of such holder of Notes. The foregoing provisions are intended as an inducement to the ABL Secured Parties to extend credit to the Issuer and the Guarantors and such ABL Secured Parties are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
         
    Indenture  
Trust Indenture Act Section   Section  
 
       
310 (a)(1)
    7.10  
(a)(2)
    7.10  
(a)(3)
    N.A.  
(a)(4)
    N.A.  
(a)(5)
    7.10  
(b)
    7.10  
(c)
    N.A.  
311 (a)
    7.11  
(b)
    7.11  
(c)
    N.A.  
312 (a)
    2.05  
(b)
    12.03  
(c)
    12.03  
313 (a)
    7.06  
(b)
    7.06; 7.07  
(c)
    7.06; 12.02  
(d)
    7.06  
314 (a)
    4.03; 4.04  
(b)
    13.02  
(c)(1)
    12.04  
(c)(2)
    12.04  
(c)(3)
    N.A.  
(d)
    13.04; 13.05  
(e)
    12.05  
(f)
    N.A.  
315 (a)
    7.01  
(b)
    7.05  
(c)
    7.01  
(d)
    7.07  
(e)
    6.14  
316 (a)(last sentence)
    2.09  
(a)(1)(A)
    6.05  
(a)(1)(B)
    6.04  
(a)(2)
    N.A.  
(b)
    6.07  
(c)
    1.05  
317 (a)(1)
    6.08  
(a)(2)
    6.12  
(b)
    N.A.  
318 (a)
    12.01  
(b)
    N.A.  
(c)
    12.01  
 
N.A. means not applicable.
 
*   This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture.

 

 


 

Table of Contents
                 
            Page  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 1
       
 
       
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
       
 
       
Section 1.01  
Definitions
    1  
Section 1.02  
Other Definitions
    32  
Section 1.03  
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    32  
Section 1.04  
Rules of Construction
    33  
Section 1.05  
Acts of Holders
    33  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 2
       
 
       
THE SECURED NOTES
       
 
       
Section 2.01  
Form and Dating; Terms
    35  
Section 2.02  
Execution and Authentication
    36  
Section 2.03  
Registrar and Paying Agent
    36  
Section 2.04  
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
    36  
Section 2.05  
Holder Lists
    37  
Section 2.06  
Transfer and Exchange
    37  
Section 2.07  
Replacement Note
    46  
Section 2.08  
Outstanding Notes
    46  
Section 2.09  
Treasury Notes
    46  
Section 2.10  
Temporary Notes
    46  
Section 2.11  
Cancellation
    46  
Section 2.12  
Defaulted Interest
    47  
Section 2.13  
CUSIP/ISIN Numbers
    47  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 3
       
 
       
REDEMPTION
       
 
       
Section 3.01  
Notices to Trustee
    47  
Section 3.02  
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
    47  
Section 3.03  
Notice of Redemption
    48  
Section 3.04  
Effect of Notice of Redemption
    49  
Section 3.05  
Deposit of Redemption Price
    49  
Section 3.06  
Notes Redeemed in Part
    49  
Section 3.07  
Optional Redemption
    49  
Section 3.08  
Mandatory Redemption
    50  
Section 3.09  
Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds
    50  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 4
       
 
       
COVENANTS
Section 4.01  
Payment of Notes
    52  
Section 4.02  
Maintenance of Office or Agency
    52  
Section 4.03  
Reports and Other Information
    52  
Section 4.04  
Compliance Certificate
    53  
Section 4.05  
Taxes
    54  
       
 
       

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            Page  
       
 
       
Section 4.06  
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
    54  
Section 4.07  
Limitation on Restricted Payments
    54  
Section 4.08  
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
    59  
Section 4.09  
Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock
    61  
Section 4.10  
Asset Sales
    66  
Section 4.11  
Transactions With Affiliates
    68  
Section 4.12  
Liens
    70  
Section 4.13  
Company Existence
    70  
Section 4.14  
Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control
    70  
Section 4.15  
Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries
    72  
Section 4.16  
Impairment of Security Interests; Further Assurances
    72  
Section 4.17  
After-Acquired Property
    73  
Section 4.18  
Insurance
    73  
Section 4.19  
Payment for Consent
    73  
Section 4.20  
Post-Closing Actions
    73  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 5
       
 
       
SUCCESSORS
       
 
       
Section 5.01  
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets
    73  
Section 5.02  
Successor Person Substituted
    75  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 6
       
 
       
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
       
 
       
Section 6.01  
Events of Default
    75  
Section 6.02  
Acceleration
    77  
Section 6.03  
Other Remedies
    78  
Section 6.04  
Waiver of Past Defaults
    78  
Section 6.05  
Control by Majority
    78  
Section 6.06  
Limitation on Suits
    78  
Section 6.07  
Rights of Holders to Receive Payment
    79  
Section 6.08  
Collection Suit by Trustee
    79  
Section 6.09  
Restoration of Rights and Remedies
    79  
Section 6.10  
Rights and Remedies Cumulative
    79  
Section 6.11  
Delay or Omission Not Waiver
    79  
Section 6.12  
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    79  
Section 6.13  
Priorities
    80  
Section 6.14  
Undertaking for Costs
    80  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 7
       
 
       
TRUSTEE
       
 
       
Section 7.01  
Duties of Trustee
    80  
Section 7.02  
Rights of Trustee
    81  
Section 7.03  
Individual Rights of Trustee
    82  
Section 7.04  
Trustee’s Disclaimer
    82  
Section 7.05  
Notice of Defaults
    82  
Section 7.06  
Reports by Trustee to Holders
    82  
Section 7.07  
Compensation and Indemnity
    83  
Section 7.08  
Replacement of Trustee
    83  
Section 7.09  
Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
    84  
       
 
       

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            Page  
       
 
       
Section 7.10  
Eligibility; Disqualification
    84  
Section 7.11  
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer
    84  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 8
       
 
       
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
       
 
       
Section 8.01  
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    84  
Section 8.02  
Legal Defeasance and Discharge
    84  
Section 8.03  
Covenant Defeasance
    85  
Section 8.04  
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
    85  
Section 8.05  
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions
    87  
Section 8.06  
Repayment to Issuer
    87  
Section 8.07  
Reinstatement
    87  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 9
       
 
       
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
       
 
       
Section 9.01  
Without Consent of Holders
    87  
Section 9.02  
With Consent of Holders
    88  
Section 9.03  
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
    90  
Section 9.04  
Revocation and Effect of Consents
    90  
Section 9.05  
Notation on or Exchange of Notes
    90  
Section 9.06  
Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.
    90  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 10
       
 
       
GUARANTEES
       
 
       
Section 10.01  
Guarantee
    91  
Section 10.02  
Limitation on Guarantor Liability
    92  
Section 10.03  
Execution and Delivery
    92  
Section 10.04  
Subrogation
    92  
Section 10.05  
Benefits Acknowledged
    92  
Section 10.06  
Release of Guarantees by Guarantors
    92  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 11
       
 
       
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
       
 
       
Section 11.01  
Satisfaction and Discharge
    93  
Section 11.02  
Application of Trust Money
    94  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 12
       
 
       
MISCELLANEOUS
       
 
       
Section 12.01  
Trust Indenture Act Controls
    94  
Section 12.02  
Notices
    94  
Section 12.03  
Communication by Holders with Other Holders
    95  
Section 12.04  
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
    96  
Section 12.05  
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
    96  
Section 12.06  
Rules by Trustee and Agents
    96  
       
 
       

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            Page  
       
 
       
Section 12.07  
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders
    96  
Section 12.08  
Governing Law
    96  
Section 12.09  
Waiver of Jury Trial
    96  
Section 12.10  
Force Majeure
    96  
Section 12.11  
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
    97  
Section 12.12  
Successors
    97  
Section 12.13  
Severability
    97  
Section 12.14  
Counterpart Originals
    97  
Section 12.15  
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
    97  
Section 12.16  
Qualification of Indenture
    97  
       
 
       
ARTICLE 13
       
 
       
COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS
       
 
       
Section 13.01  
Collateral and Collateral Documents
    97  
Section 13.02  
Recordings and Opinions
    99  
Section 13.03  
Release of Liens on Collateral
    99  
Section 13.04  
Permitted Releases Not to Impair Lien; Trust Indenture Act Requirements
    100  
Section 13.05  
Certificates of the Trustee
    101  
Section 13.06  
Suits to Protect the Collateral
    101  
Section 13.07  
Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Collateral Documents
    101  
Section 13.08  
Purchaser Protected
    101  
Section 13.09  
Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee
    101  
Section 13.10  
Release upon Termination of the Issuer’s Obligations
    102  
Section 13.11  
Notes Collateral Agent
    102  
Section 13.12  
Designations
    104  
Section 13.13  
Additional Collateral
    104  
       
 
       
EXHIBITS:
     
Exhibit A  
Form of Senior Secured Note
Exhibit B  
Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C  
Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D  
Form of Supplemental Indenture to be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

 

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SENIOR SECURED NOTES INDENTURE, dated as of February 17, 2011, among Cambium Learning Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Issuer (as defined herein) has duly authorized the creation of an issue of $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “Initial Notes”); and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture (as defined herein);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
280G Escrow Account” means that certain escrow account in the amount of $3,000,000 established under the CVR Escrow Agreement to fund certain reimbursement obligations to Richard J. Surratt with a portion of the balance, if any, to be distributed to the Issuer and, to the extent sufficient funds are available, holders of the CVRs, as such escrow account is defined under the CVR Escrow Agreement, which as of the Issue Date $3,000,000 (plus accrued interest, if any) was then held in such escrow account.
ABL Collateral” has the meaning ascribed to “ABL First Lien Collateral” in the Intercreditor Agreement.
ABL Facility” means the certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of the Issue Date by and among Cambium Learning, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer, as a borrower, the other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto in their capacities as lenders thereunder and Harris N.A., as agent and Barclays Bank PLC, as collateral agent, including any related notes, collateral documents, letters of credit and guarantees, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any appendices, exhibits or schedules to any of the foregoing (as the same may be in effect from time to time), and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof (whether with the original agents and lenders or other agents or lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original credit agreement or other credit agreements or otherwise) and any indenture, guarantees, credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, exchange or refinance any part of the loans, notes, guarantees, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 of this Indenture).
ABL Lenders Debt” means (i) any Indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the ABL Facility, (ii) any Indebtedness which has a senior priority security interest relative to the Notes in the ABL Collateral, (iii) all obligations with respect to such Indebtedness and any Hedging Obligations entered into with any agent, arranger or lender (or their affiliates) under the ABL Facility (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Hedging Obligations are provided or were entered into) and (iv) all Bank Products entered into with any agent, arranger or lender (or their affiliates) under the ABL Facility (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products are provided or were entered into).

 

 


 

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person,
(a) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging or consolidating with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and
(b) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Additional Notes” means any additional Notes issued under this Indenture (other than the Initial Notes, or any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Initial Notes) having the same terms in all respects as the Initial Notes except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance. Additional Notes and Initial Notes shall be part of the same class for all purposes of this Indenture.
Additional Parity Debt” means the Additional Notes and any additional Secured Indebtedness that is ranked pari passu with the Notes and is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) of this Indenture; provided that (i) the representative of such Additional Parity Debt executes a joinder agreement to the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and, if applicable, to the other Collateral Documents, in each case in the form attached thereto, agreeing to be bound thereby and (ii) the Issuer has designated such Indebtedness as “Additional Parity Debt” thereunder.
Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
After-Acquired Property” means any and all assets or property (other than Excluded Assets) acquired after the Issue Date, including any property or assets acquired by the Issuer or a Guarantor from another Subsidiary, which in each case constitutes Collateral or would have constituted Collateral had such assets and property been owned by the Issuer or a Guarantor on the Issue Date.
Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement” means that certain Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Mergers made as of September 20, 2010 referred to in the definition of “Merger Agreement.”
Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.
Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of the book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from each participant in DTC tendering the Notes and that such participants have received the Letter of Transmittal and agree to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and the Issuer may enforce such agreement against such participants.
Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:
(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

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(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Note at February 15, 2014 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(b) hereof, plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through February 15, 2014 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), in each case computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.
Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Secured Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.
Asset Sale” means:
(a) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction), of property or assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or
(b) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions; in each case, other than:
(i) any disposition of Cash Equivalents or obsolete or worn out property or equipment in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale or no longer used in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer in a manner permitted pursuant to the provisions described under Section 5.01 hereof or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;
(iii) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof, including the making of any Permitted Investment;
(iv) any disposition of assets or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary in any transaction or series of related transactions with an aggregate fair market value of less than $2.5 million;
(v) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;
(vi) to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business;
(vii) the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;
(viii) any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(ix) foreclosures, condemnation, casualty, expropriation or any similar action with respect to assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture;
(x) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets (other than royalties or other revenues (except accounts receivable)) or related assets in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility;

 

-3-


 

(xi) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Lease-Back Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture;
(xii) the sale or discount of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable in the ordinary course of business or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable;
(xiii) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business;
(xiv) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;
(xv) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations;
(xvi) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;
(xvii) the abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer are not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and
(xviii) the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted by the covenant described under Section 4.09.
Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements and commercial credit card and merchant card services.
Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
Borrowing Base” means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of:
(a) 85% of the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(b) 65% of the aggregate book value of all inventory owned by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
all calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
Calculation Date” means the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall occur.
Capital Stock” means:
(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

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(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Capitalized Software Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Cash Equivalents” means:
(a) United States dollars;
(b) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(c) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $500.0 million in the case of U.S. banks and $100.0 million (or the U.S. dollar equivalent as of the date of determination) in the case of non-U.S. banks;
(d) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (b), (c) and (g) entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (c) above;
(e) commercial paper rated at least “P-2” by Moody’s or at least “A-2” by S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof and Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(f) marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least “P-2” or “A-2” from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);
(g) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;
(h) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, in each case having an Investment Grade Rating from either Moody’s or S&P (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(i) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated “AAA-” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or “Aaa3” (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency); and
(j) investment funds investing at least 95.0% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (i) above.
In the case of Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (g) and clauses (i) and (j) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (a) and (b) as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.
Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Issue Date:
(a) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than a Permitted Holder; or
(b) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer; or
(c) the Issuer liquidates or dissolves or the stockholders of the Issuer adopt a plan of liquidation or dissolution.
Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme and its successors.
Collateral” means the Notes Collateral and the ABL Collateral.
Collateral Agency Agreement” means the Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, each Guarantor, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Notes Collateral Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, and as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.
Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, collateral assignments, deeds of trust and all other pledges, agreements, financing statements (including amendments thereto and continuations thereof) patent, trademark or copyright filings, mortgages or other filings or documents that create or purport to create a Lien in the Collateral in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent and/or the Trustee (for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes), the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, in each case as they may be amended from time to time, and any instruments of assignment, control agreements, lockbox letters or other instruments or agreements executed pursuant to the foregoing.

 

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Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense of such Person, including the amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, curriculum development expenses and fixed asset purchases and Capitalized Software Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(a) consolidated interest expense in respect of Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (i) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (iii) non-cash interest charges (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (iv) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (v) net payments, if any, made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (u) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition, (v) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (w) any Additional Interest and any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations, (x) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and discounted liabilities, (y) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Facility and (z) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities); plus
(b) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less
(c) interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.
For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication,
(a) any net after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains, losses or charges (including all fees and expenses relating thereto), including, without limitation, any expenses relating to severance, relocation costs, integration costs, transition costs, pre-opening, opening, consolidation and closing costs for facilities, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design and implementation costs), restructuring costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded;
(b) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments (including any disposal of abandoned or discontinued operations) or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business as determined in good faith by the Issuer shall be excluded;

 

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(c) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary or Person that is not a Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into Cash Equivalents) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and the net losses of any such Person shall only be included to the extent funded with cash from the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(d) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted in whole without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;
(e) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in the inventory, property and equipment, software, goodwill, other intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue, debt line items and other noncash charges in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase accounting in relation to any consummated acquisition or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;
(f) any net after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (i) Indebtedness, (ii) Hedging Obligations or (iii) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;
(g) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;
(h) any non-cash compensation charge or expense, including any such charge or expense arising from the grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights or equity incentive programs shall be excluded;
(i) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, Investment, Asset Sale, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes and the ABL Facility), issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes and the ABL Facility) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful, shall be excluded;
(j) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification 815 shall be excluded;
(n) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation and transaction gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other monetary assets and liabilities shall be excluded; and

 

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(o) gains and losses recorded in accordance with changes in the fair value of contingent value rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.
Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) all Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by a Lien on any assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries to (b) EBITDA of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent four fiscal quarter period ending prior to such date for which the Issuer has consolidated financial statements available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to EBITDA as are consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
Consolidated Total Assets” means, as at any date of determination, the total assets of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries which may properly be classified as assets on a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent,
(a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;
(b) to advance or supply funds
(i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation, or
(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.
Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is MAC N9311-110, 625 Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479, Attention: Cambium Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer, or the corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer).
Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the ABL Facility, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, lender or group of lenders.

 

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Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes, each in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
CVR” means each contingent value right originally issued by the Issuer pursuant to the CVR Agreement to holders of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of VLCY, immediately prior to the effective time (the “Effective Time”) of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement on December 8, 2009, following the Effective Time as part of the merger consideration paid to such holders in such merger, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
CVR Agreement” means that certain Contingent Value Rights Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2009, by and among the Issuer, Vowel Representative, LLC, as stockholders’ representative, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as rights agent and initial CVR agent, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
CVR Documents” means each of the CVRs, the CVR Agreement, the CVR Escrow Agreement and the CVR Security Documents.
CVR Escrow Account” means that certain escrow account established under the CVR Escrow Agreement for the purpose of funding certain payments under the CVR Agreement, as such escrow account is defined in the CVR Escrow Agreement.
CVR Escrow Agreement” means that certain Escrow Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2009, by and among Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as escrow agent, Vowel Representative, LLC, as stockholders’ representative, the Issuer, VLCY and Richard J. Surratt, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the CVR Escrow Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2010, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
CVR Obligations” means, collectively, (i) the obligation of the Issuer to deposit and, to cause certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries to deposit, certain tax refunds relating to VLCY and its subsidiaries in the CVR Escrow Account, pursuant to Sections 5.22(b), 5.22(c) and 5.22(d) of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) the obligation of the Issuer to deposit, and to cause certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries to deposit, generally, an amount equal to 50% of the cash amount realized from any refunds, credits or reductions in taxes by VLCY or its subsidiaries from the payment of certain agreed contingencies pursuant to the Merger Agreement and (iii) the obligation to make or permit any payments or other distributions or withdrawals to be made from the 280G Escrow Account, the CVR Escrow Account or the Excess Employee Payment Escrow Account, in each case, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the CVR Escrow Agreement.
CVR Security Documents” means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2009, by and among the Issuer, VLCY and Vowel Representative, LLC, as agent for the benefit of the stockholders of VLCY immediately prior to the effective time of the merger on December 8, 2009 of Vowel Acquisition Corp. with and into VLCY with VLCY as the surviving corporation, and each other security agreement, document, financing statement or other instrument executed or delivered in connection therewith, in each case, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A except that such Note shall not bear the Secured Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Secured Global Note” attached thereto.

 

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Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the fair market value, as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale.
Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer or the applicable parent company thereof, as the case may be, on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.
Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely as a result of a change of control or asset sale), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (excluding Veronis Suhler Stevenson (but not excluding any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant)) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the board of directors of the Issuer (or the compensation committee thereof), in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.
EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period
(a) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than clause (x)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, franchise, excise and similar taxes, and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a) through (l) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”; plus
(ii) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, net of interest income and gains with respect to such obligations (y) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities and (z) amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (a)(u) through (z) in the definition thereof); plus
(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

 

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(iv) the amount of any restructuring charges, accruals or reserves; plus
(v) any other non-cash charges (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus
(vi) the amount of any minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary; plus
(vii) the amount of loss on sale of receivables, Securitization Assets and related assets to any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility; plus
(viii) any costs or expense incurred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus
(ix) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus
(x) any net loss from disposed or discontinued operations;
(b) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:
(i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period; plus
(ii) any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period unless such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period; plus
(iii) any net income from disposed or discontinued operations; plus
(iv) extraordinary gains and unusual or non-recurring gains (less all fees and expenses relating thereto); and
(c) increased or decreased (without duplication) by, as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification 460, Guarantees.
EMU” means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
Equity Offering” means any public or private sale solely for cash of common stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer (excluding Disqualified Stock), other than:

 

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(a) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;
(b) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and
(c) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.
Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, and its successors.
Excess Employee Payment Escrow Account” means that certain unfunded escrow account established under the CVR Escrow Agreement as defined as the “Excess Employee Payment Account” under the CVR Escrow Agreement.
Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Notes” means the Notes of the Issuer issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.
Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement” means an Exchange Offer Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Excluded Assets” means:
(a) any property or assets owned by any Unrestricted Subsidiary (which as of the Issue Date includes VLCY);
(b) Excluded Contracts;
(c) any asset that is subject to a Lien securing a capital lease obligation or Purchase Money Obligation permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Indenture to the extent and so long as the documents governing such obligations do not permit the pledge of such assets to the Notes Collateral Agent;
(d) Excluded Capital Stock;
(e) any interest in fee-owned real property of the Issuer and the Guarantors if the greater of its cost and book value is less than $1.0 million;
(f) any interest in leased real property of the Issuer and the Guarantors;
(g) motor vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title;
(h) funds as of the Issue Date in the 280G Escrow Account, the CVR Escrow Account or the Excess Employee Payment Escrow Account, the collateral securing the CVR Obligations pursuant to any of the CVR Security Documents, the proceeds from each action, suit or other proceeding relating to any tax refunds or tax payments in respect of the CVR Obligations and any other proceeds also in respect thereof, the proceeds, if any, from the proceeding in the Michigan Court of Claims referred to in the Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement and any cash amount realized from refunds, credits or reductions in taxes resulting from the payment of certain agreed contingencies in each case in accordance with the terms of the CVR Documents and the Merger Agreement (as applicable);

 

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(i) any intellectual property, including any United States intent-to-use trademark applications, in relation to which any applicable law or regulation prohibits the creation of a security interest therein or would otherwise invalidate the Issuer or such Guarantor’s right, title or interest therein; and
(j) any property to the extent that such grant of a security interest is prohibited by any Requirement of Law of a Governmental Authority or requires a consent not obtained of any Governmental Authority pursuant to such Requirement of Law, except to the extent that such Requirement of Law providing for such prohibition or requiring such consent is ineffective under applicable law (provided that this clause shall not exclude any Account (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) for which the federal government of the United States is the account debtor as a result of the Federal Assignment of Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. Sec. 203 (1976), amended by 31 U.S.C.A. Sec. 3727 (West 1983), except to the extent that such grant shall constitute or result in the termination or annulment of such Account);
provided, however, Excluded Assets shall not include any asset or property which secures obligations with respect to ABL Lenders Debt and Excluded Assets shall not include any Proceeds (as defined in the UCC), substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Assets referred to in clauses (a) through (j) (unless such Proceeds, substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Assets referred to in clauses (a) through (j))
Excluded Capital Stock” means (a) any Capital Stock with respect to which the Issuer has reasonably determined in good faith in writing to the Notes Collateral Agent that the costs (including any costs resulting from material adverse tax consequences) of pledging such Equity Interests shall be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Holders therefrom, (b) solely in the case of any pledge of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary to secure the Obligations under the Notes, any Capital Stock that are voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary in excess of 65% of the outstanding voting Capital Stock of such class, (c) any Capital Stock to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by any applicable law, rule or regulation, (d) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that is not wholly owned by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries at the time such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary (for so long as such Subsidiary remains a non-wholly owned Subsidiary to the extent that the governing documents of such non-wholly owned Subsidiary prevents the grant of a security interest therein), (e) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary whose assets, as reflected on their most recent balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and revenues for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, do not exceed $1.0 million, (f) the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary and (g) the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, including, without limitation, VLCY.
Excluded Contract” means at any date any rights or interest of the Issuer or any Guarantor under any agreement, contract, license, lease, instrument, document or other general intangible (referred to solely for purposes of this definition as a “Contract”) to the extent that such Contract by the terms of a restriction in favor of a Person who is not the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any requirement of law, prohibits, or requires any consent or establishes any other condition for or could or would be terminated, abandoned, invalidated, rendered unenforceable, or would be breached or defaulted under because of an assignment thereof or a grant of a security interest therein by the Issuer or a Guarantor (after giving effect to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code or principles of equity); provided that: (i) rights to payment under any such Contract otherwise constituting an Excluded Contract by virtue of this definition shall be included in the Collateral to the extent permitted thereby or by Section 9-406 or Section 9-408 of the Uniform Commercial Code and (ii) all proceeds paid or payable to any of the Issuer or any Guarantor from any sale, transfer or assignment of such contract and all rights to receive such proceeds shall be included in the Collateral.
Excluded Contribution” means net cash proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer from:
(a) contributions to its common equity capital; and
(b) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer;

 

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in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate executed by the principal financial officer of the Issuer on the date such capital contributions are made or the date such Equity Interests are sold, as the case may be, which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof.
fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Issuer in good faith.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred or repaid under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, synergies and operating expense reductions resulting from such Investment, acquisition, merger, amalgamation, or consolidation which is being given pro forma effect that have been or are reasonably expected to be realized) provided that any pro forma adjustments shall be limited to those that (a) are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable as of the date of such calculation and (b) have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur in the twelve months following the applicable date of such calculation, in the reasonable judgment of the responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer and, the chief financial officer of the Issuer shall certify the foregoing pursuant to a duly completed certificate signed and delivered to the Trustee. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

 

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Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:
(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;
(b) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and
(c) all dividends or other distributions paid or accrued (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.
Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof and any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary.
GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which are in effect from time to time.
Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.
Government Securities” means securities that are:
(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or
(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.
Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization established to perform such functions.
guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.
Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuer’s Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.
Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

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Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or similar agreement (including equity derivative agreements) providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, currency, commodity risks or equity risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the registrar’s books.
Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(a) any indebtedness (including principal and premium) of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(i) in respect of borrowed money;
(ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(iii) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) due more than twelve months after such property is acquired, except (i) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business and (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and if not paid after becoming due and payable; or
(iv) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations;
if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded;
(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, on the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the such obligor or guarantor), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business; and
(c) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person, but limited to the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien;
provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (i) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) (except for purposes of calculating a Person’s Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio) obligations under or in respect of Qualified Securitization Facilities, (iii) any operating lease rental expense to the extent that such rental expense is required to be recognized as a deferred liability on any Person’s balance sheet in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 13 or (iv) any of the CVR Obligations.
Indenture” means this Senior Secured Notes Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Indenture Obligations” means Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

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Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Similar Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.
Initial Notes” as defined in the recitals hereto.
Initial Purchasers” means Barclays Capital Inc. and BMO Capital Markets Corp.
Intercreditor Agreement” means the Lien Subordination and Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the ABL Collateral Agent (as defined therein), the Notes Collateral Agent, the Issuer and each Guarantor, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.
Interest Payment Date” means February 15 and August 15 of each year to stated maturity, commencing on August 15, 2011.
Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if the Notes are not then rated by Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
Investment Grade Securities” means:
(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);
(b) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;
(c) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and
(d) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.
Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers and distributors, commission, travel and similar advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:
(a) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuer shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to:
(i) the Issuer’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; less

 

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(ii) the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and
(b) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.
The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount received in cash by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.
Investors” means Veronis Suhler Stevenson and, if applicable, each of its Affiliates and funds or partnerships managed by it or its Affiliates but not including, however, any portfolio companies of any of the foregoing.
Issue Date” means February 17, 2011.
Issuer” as defined in the Preamble hereto.
Issuer’s Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.
Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or place of payment. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a place of Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.
Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuer and sent to all Holders for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.
Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.
Management Advisory Agreement” means the agreement made in respect of certain advisory services between certain of one or more of the management companies associated with the Investors or their advisors, if applicable, and the Issuer, in effect on the Issue Date.
Management Stockholders” means the members of management of the Issuer (or its direct parent) who are holders of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent companies of the Issuer on the Issue Date.
Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Mergers, dated as of June 20, 2009, by and among the Issuer (f/k/a Cambium Holdings, Inc.), VLCY, VSS-Cambium Holdings II Corp., Vowel Acquisition Corp., Consonant Acquisition Corp. and Vowel Representative, LLC, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Mergers made as of September 20, 2010, by and between the Issuer and Vowel Representative, LLC, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes.
Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

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Mortgage” means any mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement entered into by the owner of a Mortgaged Property and the Notes Collateral Agent, which conveys or evidences a Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Holders, on such Mortgaged Property.
Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale, including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, and brokerage and sales commissions, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, other fees and expenses, including title and recordation expenses, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien (other than Liens on the Collateral securing the ABL Facility) on such assets and required (other than required by clause (i) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.
Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
Notes” means the Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
Notes Collateral” means (a) substantially all of the present and future tangible and intangible assets of the Issuer and the Guarantors, including without limitation equipment, contracts, intellectual property, fee-owned real property, general intangibles, intercompany notes and proceeds of the foregoing (in each case, subject to certain exceptions) and (b) all of the Capital Stock and each Subsidiary directly wholly-owned by the Issuer or a Guarantor; provided, however, that the Notes Collateral shall not include the ABL Collateral or the Excluded Assets. In addition, the Notes Collateral shall be subject to the limitations and exclusions described under Sections 13.01(b) and 13.01(c).
Notes Collateral Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as “Collateral Agent” under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Collateral Documents, and any successor thereto in such capacity.
Notes Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent, each Holder of the Notes and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Indenture Obligations in respect of the Notes outstanding at such time.
Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
Offering Memorandum” means the confidential offering memorandum, dated February 14, 2011, relating to the sale of the Initial Notes.

 

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Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chairman of the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of any Person. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer shall refer to an Officer of such Person.
Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person, who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person that meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, Officer’s Certificate shall refer to a certificate of an Officer of the Issuer.
Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer or the Trustee.
Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).
Participating Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Permitted Additional Parity Debt” means obligations under any Additional Parity Debt; provided that after giving effect to the Incurrence of any such Indebtedness the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be less than or equal to 4.0:1.0.
Permitted Asset Swap” means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any Cash Equivalents received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof; provided further that the assets received are pledged as Collateral to the extent required by the Collateral Documents (except to the extent the Lien thereon is released by the lenders under the ABL Facility) to the extent that the assets disposed of constituted Collateral.
Permitted Holders” means each of (i) the Investors, (ii) Management Stockholders and (iii) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members (a “Permitted Holder Group”); provided that, in the case of such group (x) each member (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) of such Permitted Holder Group has voting rights that, on a proportional basis, are no greater than the percentage of ownership interest held or acquired by such member and (y) no Person or other “group” (other than Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above) beneficially owns a greater percentage (on a fully diluted basis) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer than is held, in the aggregate, by the Permitted Holders specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above in such Permitted Holder Group. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.
Permitted Investments” means:
(a) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(c) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit or product line, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) that is engaged directly or through entities that shall be Restricted Subsidiaries in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment:
(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

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(ii) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets (or a division, business unit or product line, including any research and development and related assets in respect of any product) or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation consolidation or transfer;
(d) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
(e) any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investment or binding commitment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification or renewal only (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;
(f) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:
(i) consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business; or
(ii) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor or customer); or
(iii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons; or
(iv) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(g) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (x) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;
(h) any Investment in a Similar Business taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $30.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(i) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer, or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided that such Equity Interests shall not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof;
(j) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09(b) hereof;
(k) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (ii) and (v));

 

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(l) Investments consisting of purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;
(m) additional Investments, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of cash or have not subsequently sold or transferred for cash or marketable securities), not to exceed the greater of (i) $10.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(n) Investments in or relating to a Securitization Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Qualified Securitization Facility or any repurchase obligation in connection therewith;
(o) advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, employees not in excess of $1.5 million outstanding at any one time, in the aggregate;
(p) loans and advances to employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors and consultants for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses or payroll advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices or to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof;
(q) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(r) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;
(s) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business;
(t) Investments made in the ordinary course of business in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contacts and loans or advances made to distributors in the ordinary course of business;
(u) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business;
(v) repurchases of Notes and Exchange Notes;
(w) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection of deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices; and
(x) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers in the ordinary course of business received upon foreclosure or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or liquidation or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers.
Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

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(a) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory or similar obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s materialmen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’ and similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice prior to the Issue Date;
(e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental, to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
(f) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv), (xii) or (xiii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (a) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) relate only to Obligations relating to Refinancing Indebtedness that (x) is secured by Liens on the same assets as the assets securing the Refinancing Indebtedness (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof) or (y) extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued under clause (iv) or (xii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, and (b) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof extend only to the assets so purchased, leased or improved and any accessions or extensions thereof;
(g) Liens existing on the Issue Date or pursuant to agreements in existence on the Issue Date (which may include Liens on after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof);

 

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(h) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or other assets owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property (it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof);
(i) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(j) Liens or deposits securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;
(k) Liens securing Hedging Obligations; provided that, with respect to Hedging Obligations relating to Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is, and is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligations;
(l) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or trade letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(m) leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses, granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Indebtedness;
(n) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(o) Liens in favor of the Issuer or any Guarantor;
(p) Liens created in favor of any vendor to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary that encumber all or any part of such vendor’s inventory and any books and records, documents and instruments, letter of credit rights and supporting obligations and any proceeds or products relating to such inventory, in each case existing on the Issue Date or hereafter created and existing;
(q) Liens on accounts receivable, Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;
(r) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (g), (h) and (i); provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus accessions, additions and improvements on such property (other than after-acquired property that is (A) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (B) after-acquired property subject to a Lien securing such Indebtedness, the terms of which Indebtedness require or include a pledge of after-acquired property

 

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(it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition) and (C) the proceeds and products thereof)), and (b) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (g), (h), and (i) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, and accrued and unpaid interest related to such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;
(s) other Liens securing obligations in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $20.0 million;
(t) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (e) of Section 6.01 hereof so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;
(u) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;
(v) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.09 hereof; provided that such Liens do not extend to any assets other than those that are the subject of such repurchase agreement;
(w) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(x) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to capital stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;
(y) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements with vendors for the sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(z) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;
(aa) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(bb) Liens on the assets of non-guarantor Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
(cc) Liens securing Permitted Additional Parity Debt; and
(dd) Liens on or securing (x) the proceeds, if any, from the proceeding in the Michigan Court of Claims referred to in Amendment No. 1 to the Merger Agreement; (y) the CVR Obligations; and (z) the 280G Escrow Account, the CVR Escrow Account and the Excess Employee Payment Escrow Account (and the funds comprising each of the foregoing) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the CVR Security Documents and the Merger Agreement.

 

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For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness.
Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental Authority or any other entity.
Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.
Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
Purchase Money Obligations” mean Indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of such asset, including additions and improvements or the installation, construction, improvement or restoration of such asset; provided that any Lien arising in connection with any such Indebtedness shall be limited to the specified asset being financed or, in the case of real property or fixtures, including additions and improvements, the real property on which such asset is attached; provided further that such Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days after such acquisition of, or the completion of construction of, such asset by the Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary.
QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
Qualified Proceeds” means the fair market value of assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business.
Qualified Securitization Facility” means any Securitization Facility that meets the following conditions: (a) the board of directors of the Issuer shall have determined in good faith that such Securitization Facility (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and the applicable Securitization Subsidiary, (b) all sales and/or contributions of Securitization Assets and related assets to the applicable Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) and (c) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).
Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.
Real Property Collateral Requirements” means, with respect to each owned real property of the Issuer or any Guarantor, including each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto, for which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 13.13 (each a “Mortgaged Property”), each of the following:
(a) a Mortgage on such Mortgaged Property;
(b) evidence that a counterpart of the Mortgage has been recorded or delivered to the appropriate title insurance company subject to customary arrangements for the prompt recording thereof;
(c) an ALTA or other mortgagee’s title policy or amendment thereto (or a marked unconditional binder thereof insuring the Lien of the Mortgage at customary rates);
(d) an opinion of counsel in the state in which such Mortgaged Property is located as to the recordability and enforceability of the applicable Mortgage in the relevant jurisdiction; and

 

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(e) a flood zone certificate in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent, and, if any Mortgaged Property with improvements located thereon is being identified as being within a special flood hazard area, flood insurance in an amount required by applicable law.
Record Date” for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the February 1 and August 1 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Issuer and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Issuer to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.
Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Permanent Global Note.
Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee.
Related Business Assets” means assets (other than Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business, provided that any assets received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.
Requirement of Law” means, as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.
Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary” means, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.”
Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.
S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.
SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.
Secured Obligations” has the meaning assigned thereto in the Security Agreement.
Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Securitization Assets” means the accounts receivable, royalty or other revenue and other rights to payment and any other assets related thereto subject to a Qualified Securitization Facility and the proceeds thereof.
Securitization Facility” means any of one or more receivables securitization financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities made in connection with such facilities) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells or grants a security interest in its accounts receivable or assets related thereto to either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.
Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization Facility.
Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Qualified Securitization Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.
Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Issuer, each Guarantor and the Notes Collateral Agent, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.
Senior Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee.
Shelf Registration Statement” means a Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.
Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.
Similar Business” means (a) any business engaged in by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, and (b) any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the Issue Date.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,
(a) any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and
(b) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.
Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(a) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and
(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which
(i) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise, and
(ii) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to February 15, 2014; provided that if the period from the Redemption Date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).
Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.
Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(a) VLCY (until such time as VLCY may be designated a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture);
(b) any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and
(c) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that
(i) any Unrestricted Subsidiary must be an entity of which the Equity Interests entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes that may be cast by all Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or Persons performing a similar function are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer;
(ii) such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and
(iii) each of (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (B) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.
The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:
(a) the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test or
(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer would be greater than such ratio for the Issuer immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.
Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Issuer or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.
VLCY” means Voyager Learning Company, a Subsidiary of the Issuer.
Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:
(a) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

 

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(b) the sum of all such payments.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100.0% of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
         
    Defined in  
Term   Section  
 
“Acceptable Commitment”
    4.10 (b)
“Affiliate Transaction”
    4.11 (a)
“Applicable Premium Deficit”
    8.04 (a)
“Asset Sale Offer”
    4.10 (c)
“Authentication Order”
    2.02  
“Change of Control Offer”
    4.14  
“Change of Control Payment”
    4.14  
“Change of Control Payment Date”
    4.14 (b)
“Covenant Defeasance”
    8.03  
“DTC”
    2.03  
“Event of Default”
    6.01  
“Excess Proceeds”
    4.10 (c)
“Fixed Charge Coverage Test”
    4.07 (a)(B)
“incur”
    4.09 (a)
“Legal Defeasance”
    8.02  
“Mortgaged Property”
  definition of “Real Property Collateral Requirements”  
“Note Register”
    2.03  
“Offer Amount”
    3.09 (b)
“Offer Period”
    3.09 (b)
“Pari Passu Indebtedness”
    4.10 (c)
“Paying Agent”
    2.03  
“Purchase Date”
    3.09 (b)
“Redemption Date”
    3.01  
“Refinancing Indebtedness”
  4.09 (b)(xiii)
“Refunding Capital Stock”
  4.07 (b)(ii)
“Registrar”
    2.03  
“Restricted Payments”
    4.07 (a)
“Rule 3-16”
    13.01 (b)(i)
“Successor Company”
    5.01 (a)(i)
“Successor Person”
    5.01 (c)(i)
“Treasury Capital Stock”
  4.07 (b)(ii)
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
indenture securities” means the Notes and the Guarantees;
indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

 

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indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee;
and “obligor” on the Notes and the Guarantees means the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or” is not exclusive;
(d) “including”, “includes” and similar words means including without limitation;
(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(f) “shall” shall be interpreted to express a command;
(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
(h) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;
(j) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not any particular Article, Section, clause or other subdivision;
(k) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(l) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory purchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater; and
(m) all references to any interest or other amount payable on or with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest.
Section 1.05 Acts of Holders.
(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments is delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

 

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(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.
(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
(e) The Issuer may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuer prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.
(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.
(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.
(h) The Issuer may (but is not required to) fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by DTC entitled under the procedures of such depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days after such record date.

 

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ARTICLE 2
THE SECURED NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued initially in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(c) Regulation S Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.
The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.
(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuer pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 hereof or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.
Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Issuer without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes; provided that the Issuer’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Issuer’s compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.
(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of the Issuer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer of the Issuer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer’s Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes or Exchange Notes (but only upon completion of an Exchange Offer or in a sale under a Shelf Registration Statement) for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued or increased hereunder.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuer.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as the owner of the Note for all purposes. The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuer fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall, to the extent that it is capable, act as such. The Issuer or any of its domestic Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Issuer initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes representing the Notes.
The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuer in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

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Section 2.05 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Issuer shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 120 days, (ii) the Issuer, at its option and subject to the procedures of DTC, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes, (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default or (iv) upon the request of DTC in accordance with customary DTC procedures. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in clause (i) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon

 

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consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the applicable Letter of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Notes. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or
(B) if the transferee shall take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in the second sentence of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

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(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Participating Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

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(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Issuer so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer shall be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or
(C) if the transfer shall be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

 

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(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) any such transfer is effected by a Participating Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Issuer so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal or in an Agent’s Message that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Participating Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuer, and accepted for exchange in an Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of an Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes issued in connection with such Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.
(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:
(i) Private Placement Legend.

 

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(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A)(1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE BLUE SKY LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ANY SELLER AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. NO AFFILIATE (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY MAY PURCHASE OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE THE NOTES.”
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):
“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14, and 9.05 hereof).
(iii) The Issuer shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date with respect to such Note and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date with respect to such Note.
(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuer shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(v) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuer designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.
(viii) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

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(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
Section 2.07 Replacement Note. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuer, or the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuer, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (ii) the Issuer to protect the Issuer, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent, from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuer and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

 

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Section 2.11 Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no-one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act and the Trustee). Certification of the cancellation of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuer upon its written request therefor. The Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Trustee shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuer (or, upon the written request of the Issuer, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class, postage prepaid, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, which were carried by such other Note.
Section 2.13 CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or cause to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof (or such shorter time as agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (i) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the Redemption Date, (iii) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. This notice may be revoked prior to the date notice is mailed to the Holders.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed (a) if the Notes are listed on an exchange, in compliance with the requirements of such exchange, or (b) on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, or, if the pro rata basis is not practicable for any reason, by lot or by such other method the Trustee shall deem appropriate, in each case in integral multiples of $1,000 provided that no Notes of less than $2,000 shall be redeemed in part. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed or purchased in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or mail or caused to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.07 hereof, notices of redemption may not be conditional.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed shall be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
(h) the CUSIP and ISIN number, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and ISIN number that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(i) if in connection with a redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, any condition to such redemption.
At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at its expense; provided that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
If the Notes are listed on an exchange (and the Trustee has been informed of such listing in writing), and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such redemption and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

 

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Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date, unless such redemption is conditioned on the happening of a future event, at the redemption price. The notice, if mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.
(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that Redemption Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.
(b) If the Issuer complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.
(b) On or after February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Sections 3.02 and 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of each of the years indicated below:
         
Year   Percentage  
2014
    104.875 %
2015
    102.438 %
2016 and thereafter
    100.000 %

 

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(c) Until February 15, 2014, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 109.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date, with the net cash proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 65.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under this Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries); and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering.
(d) At any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem, up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) that have been issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that in no event may the Issuer redeem more than 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes in any twelve-month period.
(e) Any redemption or notice of redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction or event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof.
(f) Except pursuant to clause (a), (c) or (d) of this Section 3.07, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option prior to February 15, 2014.
(g) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
Section 3.09 Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.
(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuer shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it shall follow the procedures specified below.
(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuer shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.
(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuer shall deliver electronically or send, by first-class mail a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

 

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(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;
(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;
(iv) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date;
(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;
(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuer, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuer, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;
(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuer or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the close of business two Business Days before the Purchase Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in an amount not less than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof are purchased); and
(ix) that Holders whose certificated Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased.
(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.
(f) The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof. The Issuer shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

 

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(g) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that Purchase Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be purchased.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Issuer shall pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.
The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuer shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.
The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports and Other Information.
(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC (and deliver to the Trustee and Holders (without exhibits), without costs to any Holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC) from and after the Issue Date,

 

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(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, containing the information required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;
(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q containing all quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form; and
(iii) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported, such other reports on Form 8-K, or any successor or comparable form, in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form; provided that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC (i) if the SEC does not permit such filing or (ii) prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer or effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to the Initial Notes, in which event the Issuer shall make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes, in addition to providing such information (subject, in the case of required financial information, to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum) to the Trustee and the Holders, in each case within 15 days after the applicable time the Issuer would be required to file such information with the SEC, pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. To the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(b) The Issuer shall be permitted to satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to any parent entity of the Issuer so long as such parent entity of the Issuer provides a Guarantee of the Notes; provided that the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such parent entity, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer shall be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes if it has filed such report with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports are publicly available.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, such requirements of this Section 4.03 shall be deemed satisfied prior to the commencement of the Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement for the Initial Notes by (1) the filing with the SEC of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement (or any other similar registration statement), and any amendments thereto, with such financial information that satisfies Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, to the extent filed within the time specified above, or (2) by posting on its website or providing to the Trustee by the applicable date the Issuer would be required to file such information as specified above, the financial information (including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section) that would be required to be included in such reports, subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of financial information in the Offering Memorandum, to the extent posted within the times specified above.
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or 30 days after such later date as specified in Section 4.03(a)(i)), a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer shall promptly (which shall be no more than five Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Taxes. The Issuer shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuer and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuer and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any dividend or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, other than:
(A) dividends or distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer; or
(B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;
(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, including in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:
(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

 

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(B) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of such Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition; or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Test”); and
(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i), (ii) (with respect to the payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock pursuant to clause (b) thereof only), (vi)(C) and (xi) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07(b) hereof), is less than the sum of (without duplication):
(1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of this Indenture to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment, or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit; plus
(2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer since immediately after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of:
(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Issuer, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding cash proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:
(x) Equity Interests to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Issue Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and
(y) Designated Preferred Stock; and
(B) to the extent such net cash proceeds are actually contributed to the Issuer, Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of such company or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or
(ii) debt securities of the Issuer that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Issuer; provided that this clause (B) shall not include the proceeds from (W) Refunding Capital Stock, (X) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer sold to a Restricted Subsidiary, (Y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (Z) Excluded Contributions; plus

 

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(3) 100% of the aggregate amount of cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer following the Issue Date (other than by a Restricted Subsidiary and other than any Excluded Contributions); plus
(4) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by means of:
(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) and repayments of loans or advances which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Issue Date not to exceed the amount of such Investments previously made in such Person; or
(ii) the sale (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than, in each case, to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause s(ix) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment) or a dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date; plus
(5) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the fair market value of such Investment shall exceed $10 million, shall be determined by the board of directors of the Issuer whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (ix) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment and not to exceed the amount of such Investments previously made in such Person.
(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:
(i) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or other distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or other distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) and (B) if immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividend on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

 

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(iii) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, exchange or other acquisition or retirement of (1) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, new Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Guarantor or (2) Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of a sale made within 90 days of, Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Guarantor, that, in each case, is incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:
(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any reasonable tender premium, defeasance costs and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;
(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;
(C) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired; and
(D) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;
(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (including trustees, administrators, executors, powers of attorney, heirs, assignees, estates and beneficiaries of any of the foregoing) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any notes issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition); provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause does not exceed $2.5 million in the first fiscal year following the Issue Date (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years); provided, further, that each of the amounts in any fiscal year under this clause may be increased by an amount not to exceed:
(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurs after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus
(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less

 

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(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv); and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants (and the successors listed above) of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies shall not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;
(v) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;
(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;
(B) the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which shall be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by such parent company after the Issue Date, provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (b) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or
(C) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.07(b);
provided, in the case of each of (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test under Section 4.09(a);
(vii) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise of Equity Interests by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant and any repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options, warrants, or other convertible, exchangeable or exercisable instruments if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such instruments or required withholding or similar taxes;
(viii) Restricted Payments in an amount equal to the amount of Excluded Contributions previously received;
(ix) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (ix) not to exceed the greater of (a) $20.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets;
(x) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees;
(xi) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions similar to those described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof; provided that all Notes validly tendered by Holders in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

 

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(xii) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to pay, in each case without duplication,
(A) franchise and excise taxes and other fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain their corporate existence;
(B) foreign, federal, state and local income and similar taxes, to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent company;
(C) general corporate operating and overhead costs and expenses (including customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to employees, directors, officers and managers of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent such costs and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the Issuer’s proportionate share of such amounts relating to such parent entity being a public company, not to exceed $5 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year;
(xiii) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are Cash Equivalents); provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clause (ix), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(xiv) (A) the distributions or other deposits into the (x) CVR Escrow Account or (y) the Excess Employee Escrow Account in each case pursuant to the terms of the CVR Documents or the Merger Agreement, and (B) any distribution, in accordance with the terms of the CVR Documents or the Merger Agreement, from: (i) the CVR Escrow Account; (ii) the Excess Employee Escrow Account or; (iii) the 280G Escrow Account.
(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries except as expressly set forth in the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”. The Issuer shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the next to the last sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated shall be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation shall be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to Section 4.07(a) hereof or under clause (ix) of Section 4.07(b), or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture.
Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

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(i) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or
(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor;
(ii) make loans or advances to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Guarantor; or
(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including pursuant to the ABL Facility and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations and Bank Products;
(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the guarantees thereof and the Collateral Documents;
(iii) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof on the property so acquired;
(iv) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
(v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries or the property or assets so acquired;
(vi) contracts for the sale of assets, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;
(vii) Permitted Additional Parity Debt and other Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(viii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by (i) customers, lenders or suppliers or (ii) other third parties under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(ix) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements relating solely to such joint venture;
(x) customary provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xi) restrictions created in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect such Qualified Securitization Facility;
(xii) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that are the subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;
(xiii) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Guarantor or Securitization Subsidiary which was previously an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that such Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Subsidiary;
(xiv) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09; provided that, in the judgment of the Issuer, such incurrence shall not materially impair the Issuer’s ability to make payments on the Notes when due;
(xv) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (xiv) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no more restrictive in any material respect with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing; and
(xvi) any encumbrance or restriction imposed by the CVR Documents or the Merger Agreement.
Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer shall not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; provided that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock and issue shares of Preferred Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Issuer’s most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to:

 

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(i) the incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 4.09(b)(i) without duplication, does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (A) $65.0 million and (B) the Borrowing Base at the time such debt is incurred;
(ii) the incurrence by the Issuer and any Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (including any guarantee thereof) and the exchange notes and related exchange guarantees to be issued in exchange for the Notes and the Guarantees pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (but excluding any Additional Notes);
(iii) Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.09(b)) outstanding on the Issue Date);
(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations) and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary, to finance the purchase, restoration, lease or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or other assets, including assets that are used or useful in a Similar Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets in an aggregate principal amount, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and/or Preferred Stock incurred or issued and outstanding under this clause (iv), not to exceed the greater of (a) $15.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets at any time outstanding;
(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;
(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer, or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet shall not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (vi));
(vii) Indebtedness of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such Indebtedness owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;

 

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(viii) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of the Notes of such Guarantor; provided, further, that any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien (but not foreclosure thereon)) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause;
(ix) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause;
(x) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes);
(xi) obligations in respect of self-insurance and obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(xii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), does not at any one time outstanding exceed $20.0 million (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xii));
(xiii) the incurrence by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, the issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Disqualified Stock or the issuance by any Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock which serves to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (ii) and (iii) of this Section 4.09(b) and clauses (xiii) and (xiv) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued to so extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock including additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums), defeasance costs and fees in connection therewith (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
(A) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased;
(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases (i) Indebtedness subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee thereof at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased or (ii) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively; and
(C) shall not include:

 

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(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer;
(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Guarantor; or
(3) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
and, provided, further, that subclause (A) of this clause (xiii) shall not apply to any extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of any Secured Indebtedness (other than Additional Parity Debt or any Secured Indebtedness secured on a junior priority basis to the Notes).
(xiv) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the case of (A) and (B), after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation either
(1) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test, or
(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer is greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Issuer immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within ten (10) Business Days of its incurrence;
(xvi) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to Credit Facilities that is incurred under clause (i) of this Section 4.09(b), in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;
(xvii) (A) any guarantee by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture, or
(B) any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Issuer; provided that such guarantee is incurred in accordance with Section 4.15 hereof;
(xviii) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers and consultants thereof (including trustees, administrators, executors, powers of attorney, heirs, assignees, estates and beneficiaries), in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;
(xix) customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business from customers for goods purchased in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(xx) Indebtedness in respect of Bank Products provided by banks or other financial institutions to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(xxi) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length commercial terms on a recourse basis;
(xxii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
(xxiii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:
(i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (i) through (xxiii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and shall only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or under Section 4.09(a) hereof; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the ABL Facility on the Issue Date shall be treated as incurred on the Issue Date under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and
(ii) at the time of incurrence, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b) hereof.
Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the same class shall not be deemed to be an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.
For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (A) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (B) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, premiums and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with such refinancing.
The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee to the extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
This Indenture shall not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.
Section 4.10 Asset Sales.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to consummate an Asset Sale, unless:
(i) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined by the Issuer at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of;
(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the following amounts shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this provision:
(A) any liabilities (as shown on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Issuer and all of its Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing;
(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale; and
(C) the amount of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale; provided that the aggregate of such Designated Non-cash Consideration received in connection with Asset Sales (and still held) shall not exceed $5 million at any one time (with the fair market value in each case being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); and
(iii) if such Asset Sale involves the disposition of Collateral, the Issuer or such Guarantor has complied with the provisions of this Indenture and the Collateral Documents.
(b) Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale,
(i) to reduce indebtedness as follows:
(A) if the assets subject to such Asset Sale constitute Notes Collateral, to permanently reduce (or offer to reduce) Obligations under the Notes and any Additional Parity Debt on a pro rata basis, provided that all reductions of or offers to reduce Obligations under the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07 hereof or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 and Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be repurchased; or

 

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(B) if the assets subject to such Asset Sale constitutes ABL Collateral, to repay any Indebtedness under the ABL Facility secured by such ABL Collateral as required under the ABL Facility; or
(C) if the assets subject to such Asset Sale do not constitute Collateral to permanently reduce (or offer to reduce) obligations under other Senior Indebtedness (and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), provided that the Issuer shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes and any Additional Parity Debt on a pro rata basis, provided that all reductions of or offers to reduce Obligations under the Notes shall be made as provided under Section 3.07 hereof or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.09 and Section 4.10(c) hereof) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes to be repurchased; or
(D) if the assets subject to such Asset Sale are the property or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; or
(ii) to make (A) an Investment in any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures or (C) acquisitions of other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Similar Business; provided that the assets (including Capital Stock) acquired with the Net Proceeds of a disposition of Collateral are pledged as Collateral to the extent required under the Collateral Documents (except to the extent the Lien thereon is released by the lenders under the ABL Facility);
provided that, in the case of clause (ii) above, a binding commitment entered into not later than such 365th day shall extend the period for such Investment or other payment for an additional 180 days after the end of such 365-day period so long as the Issuer or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds on the date of such cancellation or termination, or such 180th day, as applicable.
(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) hereof shall be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, the Issuer shall make an offer to all Holders and, if required by the terms of any Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness (an “Asset Sale Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is in an amount equal to at least $2,000, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Issuer shall commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed $10.0 million by delivering the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making an Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the expiration of the relevant 365 days (or such longer period provided above) or with respect to Excess Proceeds of $10.0 million or less.

 

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To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to other covenants contained in this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Issuer shall select such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with adjustments as needed for selection of authorized minimum denominations) based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds that resulted in the Asset Sale Offer shall be reset to zero.
(d) Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the holder of such Net Proceeds may apply such Net Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness outstanding under a revolving credit facility or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.
(e) The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
The provisions of this Section 4.10 may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
Section 4.11 Transactions With Affiliates.
(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; and
(ii) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $15.0 million, a resolution adopted by the majority of independent directors (as determined pursuant to Section 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules) the board of directors of the Issuer approving such Affiliate Transaction and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) of this Section 4.11(a).
(b) The provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:
(i) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction;
(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof and the definition of “Permitted Investments”;
(iii) the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and other similar amounts) pursuant to the Management Advisory Agreement (plus any unpaid management, consulting, monitoring, advisory and other fees and related expenses (including indemnification and similar amounts) accrued in any prior year) and the termination fees pursuant to the Management Advisory Agreement, or, in each case, any amendment thereto so long as any such amendment is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the Management Advisory Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

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(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided on behalf of or for the benefit of, current or former employees, directors, officers, managers, distributors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(v) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;
(vi) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date, or any amendment thereto (so long as any such amendment is not disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect on the Issue Date);
(vii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (vii) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous in any material respect in the good faith judgment of the board of directors of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole;
(viii) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services that are Affiliates, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the board of directors of the Issuer or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;
(ix) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or to any Permitted Holder or to any employee, director, officer, manager, distributor or consultant of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(x) sales of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets or related assets in connection with or any Qualified Securitization Facility;
(xi) payments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any of the Investors made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including, without limitation, in connection with acquisitions or divestitures which payments are either (a) approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Issuer in good faith or (b) made pursuant to an agreement existing as of the Issue Date;

 

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(xii) payments and Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of any Restricted Subsidiary to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager or consultant (including trustees, administrators, executors, powers of attorney, heirs, assignees, estates and beneficiaries of any of the foregoing) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity or other incentive plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement; and any employment agreements, severance agreements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or arrangements with any such employees, directors, officers, managers or consultants that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith;
(xiii) payments by the Issuer (and any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Issuer (and any such parent company) and its Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent of amount received from Unrestricted Subsidiaries) would be required to pay in respect of foreign, federal, state and local taxes for such fiscal year were the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above) to pay such taxes separately from any such parent entity; and
(xiv) any transaction with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Issuer solely because the Issuer directly or indirectly owns Equity Interests in or controls such Person entered into in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.12 Liens. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related Guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, except that the foregoing shall not apply to (A) Liens securing the Notes and the related Guarantees (and the Exchange Notes and the related guarantees in respect thereof) but, except as otherwise permitted hereunder, excluding Additional Notes and (B) (i) Permitted Liens and (ii) Liens securing (x) Indebtedness and other Obligations permitted to be incurred under Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof and (y) obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligations provided by any arranger, agent or lender party to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such arranger, agent or lender (or any Person that was an arranger, agent or lender or an Affiliate of an arranger, agent or lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products or Hedging Obligations are provided or were entered into); provided, however, that this subclause (B)(ii) shall not permit simultaneous first-priority Liens in respect of such Indebtedness on both the ABL Collateral and the Notes Collateral.
Section 4.13 Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its company existence (for the avoidance of doubt the Issuer may convert into a limited liability company; provided that there is a corporate co-issuer entity), and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control. If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently sent a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuer shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall send notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder to the address of such Holder appearing in the Security Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:

 

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(a) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer shall be accepted for payment by the Issuer;
(b) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
(c) that any Note not properly tendered shall remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;
(d) that unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date;
(e) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(f) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuer to purchase such Notes, provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission, electronic transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;
(g) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes shall be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered. The unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;
(h) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control; and
(i) the other instructions, as determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section 4.14 that a Holder must follow.
The notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.14, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent permitted by law:
(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuer.
The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06, hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and similar words, as applicable.
The provisions of this Section 4.14, and the definition of “Change of Control,” may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
Section 4.15 Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Issuer or any Guarantor), other than a Guarantor or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any other Guarantor unless:
(a) such Restricted Subsidiary within 30 days executes and delivers (x) a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Guarantor, if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes and (y) supplements to the applicable Collateral Documents in order to grant a Lien in the Collateral owned by such Restricted Subsidiary and takes all actions required by such Collateral Documents to perfect the Liens created thereunder; and
(b) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;
The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 30 day period described in clause (1) above.
Section 4.16 Impairment of Security Interests; Further Assurances.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of Permitted Liens and the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, neither the Issuer nor any of the Guarantors shall take any action, or knowingly or negligently omit to take any action, which action or omission might or would or could be reasonably expected to have the result of materially impairing the security interest with respect to the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders in contravention of the provisions of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee and the Holders acknowledge and agree that any release of the Liens pursuant to this Indenture and the Collateral Documents shall not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture and that any Person may rely on such provision in delivering a certificate requesting release so long as all other provisions of this Indenture with respect to such release have been complied with.

 

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(b) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, the Issuer and each of the Guarantors shall execute any and all further documents, financing statements (including amendments thereto and continuations thereof), agreements and instruments, and take all further action that may be reasonably required under applicable law, or that the Notes Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and priority of the security interests and Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents in the Collateral.
Section 4.17 After-Acquired Property. Promptly following the acquisition by the Issuer or any Guarantor of any After-Acquired Property (but subject to the limitations, if applicable, described in Article 13 and the Collateral Documents), the Issuer or such Guarantor shall execute and deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, security instruments, financing statements and, in the case of interests in real property, certificates and opinions of counsel, as shall be reasonably necessary to vest in the Notes Collateral Agent a perfected security interest in such After-Acquired Property and to have such After-Acquired Property added to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture and Collateral Documents relating to the Notes Collateral or the ABL Collateral, as applicable, shall be deemed to relate to such After-Acquired Property to the same extent and with the same force and effect.
Section 4.18 Insurance. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies (a) insurance in such amounts and against such risks, as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated companies) and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents (and shall cause the Notes Collateral Agent to be listed as a lenders’ loss payee (together with any other lenders’ loss payee in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement) on property and casualty policies covering loss or damage to Collateral and as an additional insured on liability policies). The Issuer shall furnish to the Notes Collateral Agent, upon request, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained. The Issuer and each Guarantor shall name the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent as a co-loss payee on property and casualty policies and as an additional insured as its interests may appear on the liability policies listed in this Section 4.18. The Issuer shall provide evidence of such fact to the Trustee.
Section 4.19 Payment for Consent. The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Section 4.20 Post-Closing Actions. Subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture or the Collateral Documents, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that within ninety (90) days after the Issue Date, provided, that such efforts may take longer than ninety (90) days, the Issuer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Notes Collateral Agent to have received evidence that documents duly executed by the Issuer or applicable Guarantor and the Notes Collateral Agent have been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, as may be necessary or advisable for the purpose of perfecting, confirming, enforcing or protecting the Notes Collateral Agent’s security interest over the Issuer’s and each Guarantor’s patents, trademarks and copyrights registered in the United States.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

 

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(a) The Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i) the Issuer is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made, is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the case where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;
(ii) the Successor Company, if other than the Issuer, expressly assumes all the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture, the Notes and the Collateral Documents pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments;
(iii) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists;
(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
(A) the Successor Company or the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Test hereof, or
(B) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction is greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to giving pro forma effect to such transaction;
(v) each Guarantor, unless it is a Guarantor that is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case Section 5.01(c)(i)(B) shall apply, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes, the Collateral Documents and the Registration Rights Agreement; and
(vi) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.
(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Issuer under this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Guarantees and the Notes, as applicable. Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof,
(i) any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(ii) any Guarantor may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Guarantor (or to a Restricted Subsidiary if that Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor); and
(iii) the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Issuer in the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.
(c) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, no Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

 

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(i) (A) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);
(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indenture or other documents or instruments;
(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture; or
(ii) with respect to the Guarantors, the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof.
(d) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may (1) merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Issuer, (2) merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Guarantor in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof or (3) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability corporation or trust organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guarantor.
Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person and not to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or a Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all of the Issuer’s assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(a) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

 

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(b) default for 30 days or more in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest on or with respect to the Notes;
(c) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above) contained in this Indenture, the Notes or the Collateral Documents;
(d) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:
(i) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and
(ii) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate $15.0 million or more at any one time outstanding;
(e) failure by the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;
(f) the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

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(i) is for relief against the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), in a proceeding in which the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;
(ii) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03), or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03);
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or
(h) the Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03) shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary) (or the responsible officers of any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) (in each case determined as of the most recent consolidated financial statement of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; or
(i) with respect to any Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a fair market value in excess of $15.0 million, any of the Collateral Documents ceases to be in full force and effect, or any of the Collateral Documents ceases to give the Holders the Liens in such Collateral purported to be created thereby, or any of the Collateral Documents is declared null and void or the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary denies in writing that it has any further liability under any Collateral Document or gives written notice to such effect (in each case (i) other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or the terms of the ABL Facility or the Collateral Documents or (ii) unless waived by the requisite lenders under the ABL Facility), except to the extent that any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Trustee to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Documents; provided that if a failure of the sort described in this clause (i) is susceptible of cure, no Event of Default shall arise under this clause (i) with respect thereto until 30 days after notice of such failure shall have been given to the Issuer by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes issued under this Indenture.
Section 6.02 Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than a type specified in clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.
Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest shall be due and payable immediately.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 hereof, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

 

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The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under this Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) provided all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (d) of Section 6.01 hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose:
(a) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or
(b) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or
(c) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default and its consequences hereunder (except a continuing Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then total outstanding Notes (excluding any Notes directly or indirectly held by the Issuer or its Affiliates) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(b) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(c) the Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(e) Holders of a majority in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.
Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Note to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the

 

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same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.13 Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6 or receives any money from the Notes Collateral Agent as the distribution of proceeds received upon realization of any Collateral, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:
(a) to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;
(b) to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and
(c) to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.
Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the form requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer.
(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(j) In the event the Issuer is required to pay Additional Interest, the Issuer shall provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuer’s obligation to pay Additional Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Additional Interest to be paid by the Issuer. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Additional Interest is payable and the amount thereof.
(k) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).
(l) The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each May 15th, beginning with the May 15th following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) (but if no event described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

 

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A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders shall be mailed to the Issuer and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed (known to the Trustee) in accordance with Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d). The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Issuer and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuer or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Issuer promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence.
The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.
To secure the payment obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or Section 6.01(g) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 313(b) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuer in writing. The Issuer may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 310;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuer’s expense), the Issuer or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, at the expense of the Issuer, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuer’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer. The Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Trust Indenture Act Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

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Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and Guarantees, the Collateral released and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(a) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) this Section 8.02.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.20 hereof, clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), Section 5.01(c) and 5.01(d) and Article 13 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes may not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Guarantees, the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(c) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(g) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries subject thereto), 6.01(h) and 6.01(i) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

 

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(a) the Issuer must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuer must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date, provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purpose of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any defeasance shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);
(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions,
(i) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or
(ii) since the issuance of the Notes, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law;
(c) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as applicable, as a result of such Legal Defeasance and shall be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the Holders and beneficial owners of the Notes shall not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and shall be subject to such tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(e) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;
(f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the ABL Facility, or any other material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which, the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(g) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions following the deposit, the trust funds shall not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code;
(h) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuer with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuer or any Guarantor or others; and
(i) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the request of the Issuer any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to Issuer. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on its request or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and any Guarantee or Notes without the consent of any Holder:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(c) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;
(d) to provide the assumption of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

 

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(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;
(f) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor;
(g) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof;
(i) to provide for the issuance of exchange notes or private exchange notes, which are identical to exchange notes except that they are not freely transferable;
(j) to add or release (as permitted under this Indenture) a Guarantor under this Indenture or Collateral under the Collateral Documents;
(k) to add or release any Collateral as permitted under this Indenture;
(l) to add any Additional Parity Debt as permitted under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents;
(m) to conform the text of this Indenture, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in such “Description of Notes” section was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, Guarantee or Notes, as certified to the Trustee in an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer; or
(n) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided that (a) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (b) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.
Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), other than Notes beneficially owned by the Issuer or its Affiliates. Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

 

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Upon the request of the Issuer accompanied by a resolution of its board of directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuer shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
Without the consent of each affected Holder of Notes, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof are not redemptions of the Notes);
(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(d) waive a Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all Holders;
(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated therein;
(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders to receive payments of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;
(g) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;
(h) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes;
(i) make any change to or modify the ranking of the Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or
(j) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Significant Subsidiary in any manner materially adverse to the Holders.

 

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In addition, without the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in principal amount of Notes then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver may (1) modify any Collateral Document, the Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the Collateral or the Collateral Documents that would release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Collateral Documents (except as permitted by the terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement) or change or alter the priority of the security interests in the Collateral, (2) make any change in any Collateral Document, any Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions of this Indenture dealing with the Collateral or the Collateral Documents or the application of trust proceeds of the Collateral that would adversely affect the Holders in any material respect or (3) modify the Intercreditor Agreement in any manner adverse to the Holders in any material respect other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.
Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. From the date on which this Indenture is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies in all material respects with the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuer may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the board of directors of the Issuer approves it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate shall be required (other than as required by Section 4.15 hereof) for the Trustee to execute any a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01 Guarantee. Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.
If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees.
Each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

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In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general secured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.
Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation, for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, or similar limitation, under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.
Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by its President or Treasurer, one of its Vice Presidents or one of its Assistant Vice Presidents or other authorized signatory.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04 Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.
Section 10.06 Release of Guarantees by Guarantors. Each Guarantee by a Guarantor shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the such Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

 

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(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Guarantor, after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary which after the Issue Date is required to become a Guarantor, the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guarantor of Indebtedness under a guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15) (notwithstanding the foregoing, a Guarantee provided by a Guarantor on the Issue Date may not be released and discharged pursuant to this Section 10.06(a)(ii));
(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture; or
(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
(b) such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when either:
(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has heretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, shall become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. dollar-denominated Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as shall be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption (it being understood that any satisfaction and discharge shall be subject to the condition subsequent that such deficit is in fact paid);

 

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(ii) no Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under the ABL Facility (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);
(iii) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
(iv) the Issuer has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (i) of clause (b) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by applicable law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuer’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuer has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. From the date on which this Indenture is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, if any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Trust Indenture Act Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
Section 12.02 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), fax or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Issuer and/or any Guarantor:
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
17855 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75287
Attention: Todd W. Buchardt, General Counsel
Fax No.: 214-424-6425

 

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with a copy to:
Lowenstein Sandler PC
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10021
Fax No.: 973-422-6809
Attention: Lowell A. Citron, Esq.
If to the Trustee:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
MAC N9311-110
625 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Fax No.: 612-667-2160
Attention: Cambium Administrator
The Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and, subject to compliance with the Trust Indenture Act, on the final date on which publication is made, if given by publication.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at the Depositary.
If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Issuer mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 12.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuer, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Trust Indenture Act Section 312(c).

 

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Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) An Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and/or
(b) An Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof or Trust Indenture Act Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of Trust Indenture Act Section 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any of their direct or indirect parent companies (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 12.08 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 12.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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Section 12.10 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.
Section 12.11 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.12 Successors. All agreements of the Issuer in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 or Section 10.07 hereof.
Section 12.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.14 Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument.
Section 12.15 Table of Contents, Headings, Etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 12.16 Qualification of Indenture. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes. The Trustee shall be provided with such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as is necessary in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
ARTICLE 13
COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS
Section 13.01 Collateral and Collateral Documents.
(a) The due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on the Notes and performance of all other Indenture Obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture, the Notes (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Hedging Obligations and guarantees thereof secured under the ABL Facility) and the Collateral Documents, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, shall be secured as provided in the Collateral Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure the Notes and such other Obligations, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement. The Trustee and the Issuer hereby acknowledge and agree that the Notes Collateral Agent holds the Collateral in trust for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, the Trustee and the Holders, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the Intercreditor Agreement as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreement, and authorizes and directs the Notes Collateral Agent to enter into the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith;

 

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provided, however, that if any of the provisions of the Collateral Documents limit, qualify or conflict with the mandatory duties imposed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trust Indenture Act shall control. Subject to the terms and provisions hereof, the Issuer shall deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent copies of all documents pursuant to the Collateral Documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 13.01 to assure and confirm to the Notes Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Collateral Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and purposes herein expressed. The Issuer shall, and shall cause the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer to, use its and their commercially reasonable efforts to take any and all actions reasonably required to cause the Collateral Documents to create and maintain, as security for the Indenture Obligations, a valid and enforceable perfected Lien and security interest in and on all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement), in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,
(i) the Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that is owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor (other than the Capital Stock of the Issuer) shall constitute Notes Collateral only to the extent that such Capital Stock can secure the Notes without Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act (“Rule 3-16”) (or any other law, rule or regulation) requiring separate financial statements of such Subsidiary to be filed with the SEC (or any other Governmental Agency);
(ii) in the event that Rule 3-16 requires or is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to require (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would require) the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Agency) of separate financial statements of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Issuer) due to the fact that such Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock secures the Notes, then the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed not to be part of the Notes Collateral, but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to such requirement (in such event, the Collateral Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Holder of the Notes, to the extent necessary to release the security interests in the shares of Capital Stock and other securities that are so deemed to no longer constitute part of the Notes Collateral); and
(iii) in the event that either Rule 3-16 is amended, modified or interpreted by the SEC to permit (or is replaced with another rule or regulation, or any other law, rule or regulation is adopted, which would permit) the Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that was previously excluded to secure the Notes in excess of the amount then pledged without the filing with the SEC (or any other Governmental Agency) of separate financial statements of such Restricted Subsidiary, then the Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall automatically be deemed to be a part of the Notes Collateral but only to the extent necessary to not be subject to any such financial statement requirement (in such event, the Collateral Documents may be amended or modified, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, to the extent necessary to subject to the Liens under the Collateral Documents such additional Capital Stock).
(c) In addition to the limitations described in Section 13.01(b), the Notes Collateral shall not include (i) property or assets as to which the Issuer has notified the Notes Collateral Agent in writing that it has reasonably determined that the costs of obtaining a security interest are excessive in relation to the value of the security to be afforded thereby and (ii) the Excluded Assets.
(d) In the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the Notes Collateral shall be limited to 100% of the non-voting Capital Stock and 65% of the voting Capital Stock of such Foreign Subsidiary.
(e) Each Holder of the Notes, by its acceptance of the Notes, (i) consents to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees that it shall be bound by, and shall take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (iii) authorizes and instructs the Noteholder Collateral Agent (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of each holder of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Noteholder Collateral Agent on behalf of such holders of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations. The foregoing provisions of this Section 13.01(e) are intended as an inducement to the holders of Indenture Noteholder Lien Obligations to acquire the Notes and such Holders of Notes are intended third party beneficiaries of such provisions and of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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(f) In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture or the Collateral Documents, the Issuer and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to obtain any landlord waivers, estoppels or collateral access letters and shall not be required to (i) take actions to perfect by control or possession in any collateral, other than stock pledges and control agreements relating to ABL Collateral delivery of, promissory notes, and control over letter of credit rights, in each case in excess of $1.0 million, (ii) take any action with respect to any intellectual property which is (x) not registered or registered outside of the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office (other than the filing of Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statements) or, (y) in respect of intellectual property registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, (1) not used in the business of the Issuer or any Guarantor and (2) immaterial to the Issuer and the Guarantors (as determined by Issuer in good faith), or (iii) take any actions under any laws outside of the United States to grant, perfect or enforce any security interest.
Section 13.02 Recordings and Opinions. To the extent required under the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the Issuer shall comply with the provisions of § 314(b) of the Trust Indenture Act following qualification of this Indenture pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, except to the extent not required as set forth in any SEC regulation or interpretation (including any no-action letter issued by the Staff of the SEC, whether issued to the Issuer or any other Person), subject to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. Following such qualification, to the extent the Issuer is required to furnish to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 314(b)(2), the Issuer shall furnish such opinion as required by such Section.
Section 13.03 Release of Liens on Collateral.
(a) Subject to Sections 13.03(b) and 13.04 hereof, Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Collateral Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement or as provided hereby. The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be entitled to a release of property and other assets included in the Collateral from the Liens securing the Notes, and the Trustee (subject to its receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as provided below) shall release, or instruct the Notes Collateral Agent to release, as applicable, the same from such Liens at the Issuer’s sole cost and expense, under one or more of the following circumstances:
(i) in whole, upon payment in full and discharge of all obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents
(ii) to enable the Issuer or any Guarantor to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral to the extent not prohibited under Section 4.10 hereof to a Person that is not the Issuer or a Guarantor;
(iii) automatically as to any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than the initial Issuer and its successors), if at any time Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, or any other law, rule or regulation requires or is interpreted by the SEC to require the filing with the SEC (or any other U.S. federal governmental agency) of separate financial statements of such Subsidiary due to the fact that such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests are pledged to secure the Notes or any Guarantee by a Guarantor;
(iv) in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Guarantee with respect to all of the Notes, on the property and assets of such Guarantor;
(v) to the extent property is subject to a lease from a third party that is not an Issuer or a Guarantor, upon termination of the lease;
(vi) pursuant to an amendment or waiver in accordance with Article 9 hereof;
(vii) if all of the Notes have been defeased pursuant to Article 8 hereof or satisfied and discharged pursuant to Article 11 hereof; or

 

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(viii) upon payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all of the Notes and all other Obligations related thereto under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with respect thereto, that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) are paid.
(b) Subject to the provisions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement, in general the second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the termination and repayment in full of the ABL Facility and the release by the ABL Agent of the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral. The second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall terminate and be released automatically if the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral are released by the ABL Agent (unless, at the time of such release of such first-priority liens, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture). Notwithstanding the existence of an Event of Default, the second-priority lien on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall also terminate and be released automatically to the extent the first-priority liens on the ABL Collateral are released by the ABL Agent in connection with a sale, transfer or disposition of ABL Collateral that is either not prohibited under this Indenture or occurs in connection with the foreclosure of, or other exercise of remedies with respect to, such ABL Collateral by the ABL Agent (except with respect to any proceeds of such sale, transfer or disposition that remain after satisfaction in full of the ABL Lenders Debt). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a release of liens by the ABL Agent on all or substantially all of the ABL Collateral (other than in connection with a foreclosure upon or other exercise of rights and remedies by the ABL Agent with respect to such ABL Collateral), no release of the second-priority liens on the ABL Collateral securing the Notes shall be made unless (i) consent to such release has been given by the requisite percentage or number of the holders of the Notes at the time outstanding, in accordance with Section 9.02 hereof, as provided for in the Notes, this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Collateral Documents and (ii) the Issuer has delivered an Officer’s Certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent certifying that all such consents have been obtained. The second priority Liens in the ABL Collateral securing the Notes that otherwise would have been released pursuant to the second sentence of this clause (b) but for the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default shall be released when such Event of Default and all other Events of Default under this Indenture cease to exist.
(c) Upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel certifying that all conditions precedent under this Indenture and the Collateral Documents, if any, to such release have been met and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Issuer, the Trustee shall, or shall cause the Notes Collateral Agent, to execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Issuer’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement. Neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in good faith in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Collateral Document to the contrary, the Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.
Section 13.04 Permitted Releases Not to Impair Lien; Trust Indenture Act Requirements.
(a) To the extent applicable, and if required under the mandatory provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, and subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture, the Issuer shall cause § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act, relating to the release of property or securities subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents, to be complied with.
(b) Any release of Collateral permitted by Section 13.03 hereof shall be deemed not to impair the Liens under this Indenture and subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture, the Issuer shall cause the Collateral Documents in contravention thereof. Any certificate or opinion required by § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act may be made by an officer or legal counsel, as applicable, of the Issuer except in cases where § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person shall be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.04, the Issuer shall not be required to comply with all or any portion of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act if it determines, in good faith based on the written advice of counsel, a copy of which written advice shall be provided to the Trustee, that under the terms of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof issued by the SEC and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is inapplicable to any release or series of releases of Collateral.
Section 13.05 Certificates of the Trustee. In the event that the Issuer wishes to release Collateral in accordance with this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and the Issuer has delivered the certificates and documents required by the Collateral Documents and Section 13.03 hereof, if § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act is applicable to such releases (the applicability of which shall be established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.04 hereof or otherwise), the Trustee shall determine whether it has received all documentation required by § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act in connection with such release (which determination may be based upon the Opinion of Counsel hereafter described) and, based on an Opinion of Counsel pursuant to Section 12.04 hereof, shall deliver a certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent setting forth such determination. The Trustee, however, shall have no duty to confirm the legality, genuineness, accuracy, contents or validity of such documents (or any signature appearing therein), its sole duty being to certify its receipt of such documents which, on their face (and assuming that they are what they purport to be), conform to § 314(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 13.06 Suits to Protect the Collateral. Subject to the provisions of Article 7 hereof and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Holders, on behalf of the Holders, may direct the Notes Collateral Agent to take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to:
(a) enforce any of the terms of the Collateral Documents; and
(b) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations hereunder.
Subject to the provisions of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee shall have power to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of any of the Collateral Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the Collateral (including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the Lien on the Collateral or be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders or the Trustee). Nothing in this Section 13.06 shall be considered to impose any such duty or obligation to act on the part of the Trustee.
Section 13.07 Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Collateral Documents. Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Collateral Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture.
Section 13.08 Purchaser Protected. In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article 13 to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Issuer or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.
Section 13.09 Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee. In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article 13 upon the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of any Officer or Officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article 13; and if the Trustee shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee.

 

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Section 13.10 Release upon Termination of the Issuer’s Obligations. In the event that the Issuer delivers to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate certifying that (a) payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on, all of the Notes and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents with respect thereto, that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest (including Additional Interest, if any), are paid or (b) the Issuer shall have exercised its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 8, or its satisfaction and discharge option, in compliance with the provisions of Article 11 hereof, in each case with respect to all of the Notes, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer and the Notes Collateral Agent a notice stating that the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, disclaims and gives up any and all rights it has in or to the Collateral (other than with respect to funds held by the Trustee pursuant to Article 8 and Article 11), and any rights it has under the Collateral Documents, and upon receipt by the Notes Collateral Agent of such notice, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be deemed not to hold a Lien in the Collateral on behalf of the Trustee and shall do or cause to be done all acts reasonably necessary at the Issuer’s cost to release such Lien as soon as is reasonably practicable.
Section 13.11 Notes Collateral Agent.
(a) The Trustee and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby designates and appoints the Notes Collateral Agent as its agent under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and the Trustee and each of the Holders, by acceptance of the Notes, hereby irrevocably authorizes the Notes Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Notes Collateral Agent by the terms of this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Section 13.11 are solely for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent and none of the Trustee, any of the Holders, the Issuer nor any of the Guarantors shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions contained herein other than as expressly provided in Section 13.03. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities hereunder, nor shall the Notes Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder or any Guarantor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement or otherwise exist against the Notes Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Indenture with reference to the Notes Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions which the Notes Collateral Agent is expressly entitled to take or assert under this Indenture, the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, including the exercise of remedies pursuant to Article 6, and any action so taken or not taken shall be deemed consented to by the Trustee and the Holders.
(b) None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or under or in connection with any Collateral Document or the Intercreditor Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Trustee or any Holder for any recital, statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any officer or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, contained in this or any Indenture, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Notes Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or for any failure of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other party to this Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates shall be under any obligation to the Trustee or any Holder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this or any other Indenture, the Collateral Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement or to inspect the properties, books, or records of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Guarantor’s Affiliates.

 

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(c) The Notes Collateral Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with the Issuer, any Guarantor and their Affiliates as though it was not the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Trustee. The Trustee and the Holders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, the Notes Collateral Agent or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Issuer, any Guarantor or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Issuer, any such Guarantor or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to the Trustee or the Holders. Nothing herein shall impose or imply any obligation on the part of the Notes Collateral Agent to advance funds.
(d) The Notes Collateral Agent is authorized and directed to (i) enter into the Collateral Documents, (ii) enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) bind the Holders on the terms as set forth in the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) perform and observe its obligations under the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.
(e) If at any time or times the Trustee shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, set-off or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations arising under, or relating to, this Indenture, except for any such proceeds or payments received by the Trustee from the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, or (ii) payments from the Notes Collateral Agent in excess of the amount required to be paid to the Trustee pursuant to Article 6, the Trustee shall promptly turn the same over to the Notes Collateral Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to the Notes Collateral Agent.
(f) The Trustee is each Holder’s agent for the purpose of perfecting the Holders’ security interest in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, can be perfected only by possession. Should the Trustee obtain possession of any such Collateral, upon request from the Issuer, the Trustee shall notify the Notes Collateral Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Notes Collateral Agent’s written request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Notes Collateral Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Notes Collateral Agent’s instructions.
(g) The Notes Collateral Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Trustee or any of the Holders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Notes Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to determine whether all of the Issuer or any Guarantor’s property constituting Collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Collateral Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the genuineness, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Collateral Document or the Intercreditor Agreement, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, the Notes Collateral Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given the Notes Collateral Agent’s own interest in the Collateral and that the Notes Collateral Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to the Trustee or any Holder as to any of the foregoing.
(h) No provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement or any Collateral Document shall require the Notes Collateral Agent (or the Trustee) to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or to take or omit to take any action hereunder or thereunder or take any action at the request or direction of Holders (or the Trustee in the case of the Notes Collateral Agent) if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it.

 

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(i) The Notes Collateral Agent (i) shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers, or for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Notes Collateral Agent was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts, (ii) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Notes Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Issuer (and money held in trust by the Notes Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law), (iii) the Notes Collateral Agent may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel. The grant of permissive rights or powers to the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be construed to impose duties to act.
(j) Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters. Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages (including but not limited to lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.
Section 13.12 Designations. Except as provided in the next sentence, for purposes of the provisions hereof and the Intercreditor Agreement requiring the Issuer to designate Indebtedness for the purposes of the term “ABL Lenders Debt” or any other such designations hereunder or under the Intercreditor Agreement, any such designation shall be sufficient if the relevant designation is set forth in writing, signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer and delivered to the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the ABL Agent. For all purposes hereof and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Issuer hereby designates the Obligations pursuant to the ABL Facility as “ABL Lenders Debt.”
Section 13.13 Additional Collateral.
(a) (i) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Indenture, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Collateral Documents, the Issuer and each Guarantor will cause the issued and outstanding Capital Stock (other than Excluded Capital Stock) of each Subsidiary directly owned by the Issuer or any Guarantor to be subject at all times to a first priority (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and to other Permitted Liens), perfected Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Indenture and the other Collateral Documents.
(ii) Subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Indenture, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Collateral Documents, the Issuer and each Guarantor will cause, except with respect to intercompany Indebtedness, all evidences of Indebtedness for borrowed money that is owing to the Issuer or any Guarantor to be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note and pledged and delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.
(iii) Each of the Issuer and each Guarantor agrees that all Indebtedness of the Issuer and each of its Subsidiaries that is owing to the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be evidenced by an intercompany note, which promissory note shall be required to be pledged and delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent under the Security Agreement and accompanied by instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank.
(b) In furtherance of Section 4.16(b) hereof, but subject to the limitations set forth or referenced in this Indenture, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Collateral Documents, and without limiting the foregoing, the Issuer and each Guarantor will execute and deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries, as applicable (including the delivery of the Real Property Collateral Requirements), which may be required by law or which the Notes Collateral Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Indenture and the other Collateral Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, all at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors.

 

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(c) Subject to the limitations set forth or referred to in this Indenture, applicable law and any exceptions set forth in the Collateral Documents, if any material assets (including any real property or improvements thereto or any interest therein) are acquired by the Issuer or any Guarantor after the Issue Date (other than assets constituting Collateral under the Collateral Documents that become subject to the Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent upon acquisition thereof), the Issuer will, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the Notes Collateral Agent in writing thereof, and the Issuer or such Guarantor will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Notes Collateral Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (b) of this Section 13.13, all at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors.
(d) [Reserved].
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not be required to include as Collateral any Excluded Assets.
[Signatures on following page]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Indenture as of the closing date.
         
  CAMBIUM LEARNING GROUP, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Ronald Klausner  
    Name:   Ronald Klausner  
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer  
 
  VSS-CAMBIUM HOLDINGS II CORP.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Scott J. Troeller  
    Name:   Scott J. Troeller  
    Title:   President  
 
  VSS-CAMBIUM HOLDINGS, LLC
 
 
  By: VSS-Cambium Holdings II Corp., its sole member
 
 
  By:   /s/ Scott J. Troeller  
    Name:   Scott J. Troeller  
    Title:   President  
 
  VSS-CAMBIUM HOLDINGS IV, LLC
 
 
  By: VSS-Cambium Holdings, LLC, its sole member
 
 
  By: VSS-Cambium Holdings II Corp., its sole member
 
 
  By:   /s/ Scott J. Troeller  
    Name:   Scott J. Troeller  
    Title:   President  
 
  CAMBIUM LEARNING, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Ronald Klausner  
    Name:   Ronald Klausner  
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer  
 
  KURZWEIL/INTELLITOOLS, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Brad Almond  
    Name:   Brad Almond  
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer  
 
  LAZEL, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Brad Almond  
    Name:   Brad Almond  
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer  
 
  CAMBIUM EDUCATION, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Brad Almond  
    Name:   Brad Almond  
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer  
[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 


 

         
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
 
 
  By:   /s/ Richard Prokosch   
    Name:   Richard Prokosch   
    Title:   Vice President   
    Date:   February 17, 2011   
 
[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A
[Face of Senior Secured Note]
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


 

CUSIP 13201A AB3 / U1308J AB8
ISIN US13201AAB35 / USU1308JAB80
[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE
representing
9.75% Senior Secured Note due 2017
No.
Cambium Learning Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to            or registered assigns, the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Senior Note attached hereto] [of           United States Dollars] on February 15, 2017.
Interest Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2011
Record Dates: February 1 and August 1

 

A-2


 

IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated:
         
  CAMBIUM LEARNING GROUP, INC.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      

 

A-3


 

         
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
Dated:
         
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

 

A-4


 

[Back of Senior Secured Note]
9.75% Senior Secured Note due 2017
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) Interest. Cambium Learning Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 9.75% from February 17, 2011 until maturity and to pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning August 15, 2011, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuer shall make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including February 17, 2011. The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
(2) Method of Payment. The Issuer shall pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on, Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated Notes shall be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
(4) Indenture. The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of February 17, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among Cambium Learning Group, Inc., the Guarantors party thereto, and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuer designated as its 9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017. The Issuer shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes in accordance with Sections 2.01, 4.09 and 4.12 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(5) Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as described below under clauses 5(b), 5(c) and 5(d) hereof, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Issuer’s option.

 

A-5


 

(b) At any time prior to February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
(c) On or after February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of each of the years indicated below:
         
Year   Percentage  
2014
    104.875 %
2015
    102.438 %
2016 and thereafter
    100.000 %
(d) Until February 15, 2014, the Issuer may, at its option, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35.0% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price equal to 109.750% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Equity Offerings to the extent that such net cash proceeds are received by or contributed to the Issuer; provided that (i) at least 65.0% of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture after the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries); and (ii) each such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of closing of each such Equity Offering. At any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2014, the Issuer may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) that have been issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided that in no event may the Issuer redeem more than 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes in any twelve-month period. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Issuer’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of an Equity Offering, other offering or other corporate transaction event. Notice of any redemption in respect of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. If any Notes are listed on an exchange, and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of any such notice of redemption. In addition, the Issuer shall notify the exchange of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.
(e) Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.07 of the Indenture.
(6) Mandatory Redemption. The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
(7) Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.03 of the Indenture, notice of redemption shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (except that redemption notices may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture) to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. No Notes of less than $2,000 can be redeemed in part, except that if all the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption.
(8) Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuer shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuer shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

 

A-6


 

(9) Security. In order to secure the Indenture Obligations, the Issuer and the Guarantors have entered into the Collateral Documents. The Indenture Obligations shall be secured by Liens on the Collateral in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Collateral Documents and will be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement.
(10) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuer may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuer need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
(11) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
(12) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.
(13) Defaults and Remedies. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency as set forth in the Indenture, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (excluding any Notes directly or indirectly held by the Issuer or its Affiliates) may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all the Holders waive any existing Default or and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Notes held by a non-consenting Holder. The Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer is required within five Business Days after becoming aware of any Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default and what action the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.
(14) Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.
(15) Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).
(16) Governing Law. THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.
(17) CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

A-7


 

The Issuer shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Issuer at the following address:
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
17855 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75287
Facsimile: 214-424-6425
Attention: Todd W. Buchardt, General Counsel

 

A-8


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
 
 
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
 
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
     
and irrevocably appoint
 
to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
         
     
Date:                                            Your Signature:    
    (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) 
     
 
         
Signature Guarantee*:    
     
*   Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
o Section 4.10       o Section 4.14
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$ ________________
         
     
Date:                                            Your Signature:    
    (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
     
         
     
  Tax Identification No.:    
 
         
Signature Guarantee*:    
     
*   Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $          . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
                 
            Principal Amount of    
    Amount of decrease   Amount of increase   this Global Secured   Signature of
    in Principal Amount   in Principal Amount   Note following such   authorized officer
    of this Global   of this Global   decrease or   of Trustee or
Date of Exchange   Secured Note   Secured Note   increase   Custodian
                 

 

A-11


 

EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
17855 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75287
Facsimile: [               ]
Attention:  [               ]
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
MAC N9311-110
625 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Fax No.: 612-667-2160
Attention: Cambium Administrator
  Re:    9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017
Reference is hereby made to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, dated as of February 17, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among Cambium Learning Group, Inc., the Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
________________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. o CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. o CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-1


 

3. o CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(b) o such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or
(c) o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
4. o CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) o CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(b) o CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(c) o CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-2


 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer.
         
  [Insert Name of Transferor]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      

 

B-3


 

         
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1.   The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
  (a)   o a beneficial interest in the:
  (i)   o 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:                      ]), or
 
  (ii)   o Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:                      ]), or
  (b)   o a Restricted Definitive Note.
2.   After the Transfer the Transferee shall hold:
[CHECK ONE]
  (a)   o a beneficial interest in the:
  (i)   o 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:                     ]), or
 
  (ii)   o Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:                     ])or
 
  (iii)   o Unrestricted Global Note ([                     ] [                    ]); or
  (b)   o a Restricted Definitive Note; or
 
  (c)   o an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


 

EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Cambium Learning Group, Inc.
17855 North Dallas Parkway, Suite 400
Dallas, Texas 75287
Facsimile: 704-992-1451
Attention: General Counsel
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
MAC N9311-110
625 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Fax No.: 612-667-2160
Attention: Cambium Administrator
  Re:    9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017
Reference is hereby made to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, dated as of February 17, 2011 (the “Indenture”), among Cambium Learning Group, Inc. the Guarantors party thereto, and the Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
_____________________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
a) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
b) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


 

c) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
d) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2) EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
a) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
b) o CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] o 144A Global Note o Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and are dated.
         
  [Insert Name of Transferor]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      

 

C-2


 

EXHIBIT D
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of         , among            (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Cambium Learning Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Cambium Learning Group, Inc. and the Guarantors party thereof (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee a Senior Secured Notes Indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of February 17, 2011, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017;
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuer’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:
(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows:
(a) Along with all other Guarantors named in the Indenture (including pursuant to any supplemental indentures), to jointly and severally unconditionally guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuer hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee thereunder shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms thereof; and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. This is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

D-1


 

(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer or any other Guarantor, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.
(c) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby waives: diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.
(d) Except as provided in the Indenture and herein, the Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes, the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations applicable to a Guarantor under the Indenture, including Article 10 of the Indenture (which is deemed incorporated in this Supplemental Indenture and applicable to this Guarantee). The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that by executing this Supplemental Indenture, it shall become a Guarantor under the Indenture and subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Guarantors contained therein.
(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer, the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary), or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuer or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.
(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
(g) As between the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary for the purpose of this Guarantee.
(h) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under this Guarantee.
(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, or similar limitation, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guarantee shall not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, or similar limitation.
(j) This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes and Guarantee, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Note shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

D-2


 

(k) In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
(l) This Guarantee shall be a general secured senior obligation of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, ranking equally in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, if any.
(m) Each payment to be made by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in respect of this Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.
(3) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.
(4) Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:
(i) (A) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guaranteeing Subsidiary or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);
(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture, the Collateral Documents and such Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other documents or instruments;
(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default exists; and
(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with the Indenture; or
(ii) the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.
(b) Subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Indenture and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such Guaranteeing Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into, wind up into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guaranteeing Subsidiary or the Issuer.
(5) Releases. The Guarantee of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Issuer or the Trustee is required for the release of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee, upon:

 

D-3


 

(a) (i) any sale, exchange, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) of (i) the Capital Stock of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, after which the applicable Guaranteeing Subsidiary is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) all or substantially all the assets of such Guaranteeing Subsidiary, in each case if such sale, exchange, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary which after the Issue Date is required to become a Guarantor, the release or discharge of the guarantee by such Guaranteeing Subsidiary of the guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guaranteeing Subsidiary would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 in the Indenture);
(iii) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guaranteeing Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture; or
(iv) the exercise by the Issuer of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 of the Indenture or the satisfaction and discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; and
(b) such Guaranteeing Subsidiary delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been complied with.
(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors) shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or the Guarantors (including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.
(11) Subrogation. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof and Section 10.01 of the Indenture; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuer under the Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.
(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it shall receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

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(13) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.
         
  [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

 

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